M25R3 


THE  GIFT  OF 

FLORENCE  V.  V.  DICKEY 

TO  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


THE  DONALD  R.  DICKEY 

LIBRARY 
OF  VERTEBRATE  ZOOLOGY 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  105 


LIST  OF  BIRDS   RESIDENT   IN    SUMMER    NEAR  THE  CITY  OF 
BALTIMORE. 

BY  AETHUK   KESLER 

This  list,  which  includes  our  resident  birds,  is  based  upon 
specimens  collected  and  direct  observations  made  in  the  vicinity 
of  Baltimore,  chiefly  within  a  radius  of  five  or  six  miles  there- 
from ;  but  occasionally  from  a  distance  of  twelve  to  fifteen  miles 
southeast  from  the  city,  since  I  had  frequent  opportunities  to 
visit  that  part  of  the  country. 

Excepting  with  regard  to  one  species,  sent  to  me  for  identifi- 
cation, I  have  confined  myself  to  personal  observations,  and  in 
no  case  have  I  relied  upon  the  statements  of  other  persons,  nor 
upon  the  authority  of  the  distribution  of  birds  as  generally 
recorded. 

While  it  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  write  a  natural 
history  of  our  birds,  nor  to  discuss  questions  of  classification,  it 
seems  expedient  to  offer  here  and  there  such  notes  and  remarks 
as  may  throw  fresh  light  upon  their  peculiarities,  habits  and 
distribution.  In  further  elucidation  of  the  subject,  the  musical 
notation  of  a  few  songs  of  species  are  given,  and  such  as  will 
probably  excite  general  interest.  This  procedure  must,  how- 
ever, be  considered  as  a  first  attempt,  and  rather  as  opening  a 
branch  of  ornithology  which  the  writer  intends  to  pursue  in  the 
future  as  opportunities  offer. 

The  nomenclature  here  given,  in  so  far  as  the  names,  both 
scientific  and  common,  are  concerned,  is  that  adopted  by  Mr.  R. 
Ridgway  in  his  "  Manual  of  North  American  Birds,"  and  the 
order  here  followed  is  that  given  in  one  of  the  older  catalogues 
of  the  same  author,  published  in  the  "  Collections  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution." 

[MAY  1,1891.] 


fi — H884 


106  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

PART  I. 

Order    PASSERES. 

PERCHING  BIRDS. 

Turdus  mustelinus  (Gmel.).     Wood  Thrush. 

This  well-known  bird,  although  not  remarkable  for  brilliant 
plumage,  surpasses  most,  if  not  all,  of  our  songsters  by  the  char- 
acter of  its  song.  This  is  in  the  highest  degree  musical,  resem- 
bling the  tones  of  a  flute,  or  when  heard  from  a  distance  recall- 
ing the  flageolet  tones  produced  on  a  violin.  The  principal 
strain  may  be  given  by  the  following  musical  notation  : 
8va 


From  early  in  May  and  throughout  the  summer  until  about  the 
middle  of  August  its  song  may  be  heard  from  the  bushes  and 
thickets,  in  the  early  morning  or  late  evening,  no  matter  what 
the  weather  may  be,  whether  serene  or  overcast.  This  bird 
arrives  toward  the  close  of  April  and  leaves  about  the  end  of 
September.  During  its  stay  it  frequents  shady  woods,  especially 
near  the  banks  of  a  brook  or  small  river.  The  nest,  which  is 
in  part  composed  of  mud,  is  usually  attached  to  an  alder  bush, 
frequently  about  four  or  five  feet  from  the  ground.  The  writer 
found  the  young  of  this  bird,  not  yet  able  to  fly,  in  the  early 
part  of  August,  and  these  appeared  to  have  been  representatives 
of  a  second  brood.  Although  quite  common,  it  appears  to  be 
not  so  well  known  as  the  majority  of  our  other  songsters,  in 
consequence  of  being  more  solitary  and  shy,  which  tendency 
seems  to  increase  toward  the  time  of  departure,  when  it  stealthily 
makes  its  way  through  the  thickets. 

Turdus  unalascae  Pallasii  (Cab.).     Hermit  Thrush. 

While  the  capture  last  summer  of  a  single  specimen  of  this 
species  seems  to  me  purely  accidental,  I  venture  to  place  it  here 
in  order  to  give  fulness  to  this  list.  The  bird  when  taken  was 
apparently  in  good  health,  and  it  was  not  one  which  had  been 


QL 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  107 

detained  by  being  hurt  or  crippled.  The  date  of  capture  being 
in  midsummer — July  9th — excludes  the  idea  of  an  early  migra- 
tion in  this  case. 

The  following  observations,  which  were  printed  for  me  in 
Forest  and  Stream,  Vol.  XXXV,  No.  1 ,  seem  worthy  of  more 
permanent  record:  "On  July  9th,  while  traversing  the  woods 
in  Howard  county,  Md.,  about  fifteen  miles  southwest  of  Balti- 
more, my  attention  was  attracted  by  a  thrush,  which  at  once  I 
saw  was  not  the  wood  thrush  (Turdus  mustelinus).  I  shot  the 
bird  and  was  astonished  to  find  it  a  hermit  thrush  (T.  pallasii 
Cab.).  The  decided  rufescent  tail  and  tail  coverts  contrasted 
with  the  olive  brown  color  of  the  head  and  back  were  sufficient 
to  identify  it.  Knowing  that  there  is  no  record  of  the  occur- 
rence of  this  bird  in  summer  south  of  Massachusetts  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  I  give  some  account  of  its  characteristics.  Com- 
paring it  with  the  descriptions  in  Ridgway's  '  Manual/  Cones 
and  Baird,  and  with  a  mounted  specimen  in  my  collection,  shot 
in  fall,  I  could  find  no  difference  except  in  the  bill,  which, 
though  not  as  bulky  as  that  of  the  wood  thrush,  is  longer  and 
broader  than  in  the  mounted  specimen.  The  measurements  from 
the  nostrils  to  the  tip  of  the  bill  were  as  follows :  Mounted 
specimen  of  T.  pallasii,  .36  in. ;  the  above  specimen  of  the  same 
species,  .40  in. ;  T.  mustelinus,  .48  in.  That  this  bird  was  not  a 
young  specimen  of  T.  mustelinus  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  a 
young  bird  of  that  species  which  I  caught  with  my  hands,  and 
which  had  the  tail  only  half  developed,  showed  the  cinnamon 
color  of  the  head,  the  spotted  sides  beneath  and  the  olive  brown 
color  of  the  tail,  while  in  my  specimen  of  T.  pallasii  the  colors 
of  the  various  parts  differ  in  no  respect  from  the  mounted 
specimen  in  my  collection.  On  dissection  this  bird  proved  to  be 
a  female.  The  oesophagus  contained  the  whole  of  a  grasshopper, 
apparently  the  larva  of  oadipoda.  Before  concluding,  I  desire  to 
speak  of  the  time  of  arrival  and  departure  of  this  species  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  Baltimore.  About  the  first  or  second 
week  in  October  it  makes  its  appearance,  and  is  very  common 
through  that  month,  its  number  diminishing  gradually  as  winter 
approaches.  The  last  specimen  I  obtained  in  fall  was  Novem- 
ber 23d.  A  few  remain  here  throughout  the  winter,  as  I  have 

550775 


108  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

shown  in  a  paper  printed  in  Forest  and  Stream,  Vol.  XXVIII, 
No.  6.  The  earliest  date  in  spring  at  which  I  procured  a 
specimen  was  March  5th,  but  toward  the  middle  or  close  of  the 
same  month  it  becomes  more  plentiful.  About  the  close  of  the 
following  month  it  disappears  entirely." 

Herula  migratoria  (Linn.).     American  Robin. 

The  Robin  is  one  of  our  most  abundant  and  best  known  birds, 
familiar  alike  to  the  farmer  and  to  the  gunner.  The  habit  of 
this  bird  is  but  partly  migratory,  but  the  greater  number  seem 
to  winter  farther  south  than  this  climate,  becoming  plentiful  the 
middle,  and  sometimes  not  until  the  close  of  February.  The 
following  month  they  are  found  all  over  the  country,  congre- 
gating in  small  flocks,  which  disband  as  spring  advances.  In 
fall,  especially  in  October,  flocks  are  again  formed,  and  the 
number  of  birds  is  greater  even  than  in  the  spring.  As  winter 
approaches  there  is  a  steady  decrease  in  these  numbers,  with  a 
glimpse  now  and  then  during  the  winter,  until  the  spring  finds 
them  with  us  again. 

During  the  fall  migration  the  robin  shows  a  decided  partiality 
for  the  fruit  of  the  sour-gum  tree  (Nyssa  Sylvatica).  This  pref- 
erence it  has  in  common  with  the  "  flicker."  The  nest  greatly 
resembles  that  of  the  wood  thrush,  in  that  both  contain  mud  in 
their  composition,  but  owing  to  the  less  shy  disposition  of  the 
robin,  its  home  is  often  made  in  close  proximity  to  men.  Nests 
have  been  observed  at  places  where  hundreds  of  people  would 
pass,  in  fact  at  popular  resorts,  and  the  bird  showed  no  signs  of 
fear,  the  nest  being  situated,  however,  well  up  the  tree,  where  it 
could  not  be  easily  disturbed. 

Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (Linn.).     Catbird. 

With  regard  to  the  name  of  this  bird  the  Latin  saying,  "  No- 
men  est  omen,"  well  applies.  Owing  to  the  law  of  priority,  the 
species  name  "filivox,"  which  aptly  describes  the  bird,  must  be 
set  aside  for  that  of  carolinensis,  which  virtually  means  nothing. 
Being  equally  common  in  New  York,  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
the  name  would  have  been  as  descriptive,  as  it  now  stands,  had 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  109 

it  been  virginicus,  etc.  This  dark-colored  songster  arrives  in 
this  vicinity  about  the  latter  part  of  April,  leaving  some  time  in 
October,  having  been  observed  as  late  as  the  22d  of  that  month. 
The  arrival  is  made  known  by  the  characteristic  cat-like  notes. 
Besides  these  sounds  the  bird  has  a  regular  song,  no  order  in  the 
strains,  but  reminding  one  of  the  chatting  and  gabbling  of  talka- 
tive people,  amusing  however  to  the  listener,  and  seemingly  also 
to  the  singer.  The  nest,  situated  in  bushes  and  briers  of  every 
description,  along  roadsides  or  near  the  farm  house,  is  made  of 
dry  leaves,  small  rootlets,  and  stalks  of  different  weeds.  Even  rags 
and  pieces  of  paper  have  been  found  in  the  composition.  In  the 
construction  of  the  inner  lining  smaller  rootlets  are  used  than  on 
the  exterior  of  the  nest.  The  eggs,  usually  five,  sometimes  only 
four,  are  of  a  very  dark  bluish-green  color,  and  show  no  indications 
of  spots.  Nests  containing  eggs  are  found  all  through  June. 

Harporhynchus  rufus  (Linn.).     Brown  Thrasher. 

This  songster  is  better  known  under  the  common  names  of 
"  Red  Thrush  "  and  "  Sandy  Mocking-bird,"  but  the  latter  is 
the  name  by  which  it  is  best  known  by  our  farmers  and  people 
generally.  The  bird  is  as  common  as  the  catbird  and  frequents 
the  same  places,  but  its  habits  are  not  the  same.  The  sandy 
mocking-bird  delights  in  the  early  morning  to  rest  upon  some 
tall  tree  or  telegraph  wire  by  the  roadside  and  peal  forth  its 
beautiful  and  vigorous  song.  Another  habit  is  to  run  in  thickets 
or  even  small  open  places,  scratching  the  ground,  and  among  the 
dry  leaves  searching  for  insects.  The  nest  is  not  a  very  fine 
structure,  and  is  placed  among  bushes  and  brambles.  It  con- 
tains four  or  five  brown-speckled  eggs,  which  are  somewhat 
larger  than  those  of  the  catbird.  Judging  by  the  different 
months  in  which  eggs  have  been  found,  the  writer  concludes  that 
two  broods  are  hatched  during  the  season.  This  bird  appears 
early  in  April,  about  the  first  week,  and  departs  for  the  South 
about  the  first  week  in  October. 

SiaMa  sialis  (Linn.).     Bluebird. 
This  well-known  bird  is  but  partly  migratory  in  its  habits, 


110  TRANSACTIONS   OF  THE  [1891 

seldom  entirely  leaving  us  during  the  winter.  On  ornithological 
excursions  during  the  months  of  December  and  January  one 
rarely  fails  to  see  this  bird,  but  February  brings  to  us  the 
majority.  This,  however,  is  dependent  on  the  exigencies  of  the 
season.  The  blue  garb  makes  this  bird  conspicuous  everywhere, 
especially  since  it  does  not  seek  to  conceal  itself  in  shady  woods 
or  bushes  and  thickets.  The  song  is  a  plain  warble.  Beside 
these  regular  notes,  there  is  a  call-note  which  is  very  character- 
istic, and  which  cannot  easily  be  confounded  with  that  of  other 
birds. 

The  nest  is  placed  in  holes,  usually  in  an  old  cherry  or  apple 
tree.  The  eggs  are  of  pale  blue,  and  in  shape  are,  on  the  aver- 
age, a  little  more  globose  than  those  of  the  catbird.  It  is  hardly 
necessary  to  state  that  our  bird  is  an  exceedingly  common  and 
abundant  species,  except,  as  above  mentioned,  during  winter. 

Parus  bieolor  (Linn.).     Tufted  Titmouse. 

The  "  Tufted  Titmouse,"  also  known  as  the  "  Crested  Tit- 
mouse," is  one  of  our  resident  birds,  and  may  be  found  almost 
anywhere  in  the  depths  of  the  woods,  or  among  the  trees  and 
shrub?  that  border  our  waters.  In  winter  it  associates  with 
various  smaller  birds,  as  for  instance,  chickadee,  creeper,  et  al., 
and  is  quite  common  near  the  suburbs,  and  has  been  seen  and 
heard  even  in  the  midst  of  the  city.  During  the  summer 
months,  however,  this  species  seems  to  retire  to  a  part  of  the 
country  less  densely  populated.  Though  quite  common,  it  is  not 
so  abundant  as  the  next  species,  that  is  as  regards  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  city.  Being  of  a  somewhat  more  shy  and  suspi- 
cious disposition  than  its  relative,  the  chickadee,  this  might  be 
easily  explained. 

The  most  distinctive  characteristic  of  the  tufted  titmouse  is 
the  whistle,  consisting  of  two  tones,  forming  a  fourth,  as  here 
indicated : 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  Ill 

Besides  this  it  possesses  a  few  other  very  squeaky  notes,  entirely 
at  variance  with  the  musical  whistle,  and  both  may  be  heard 
throughout  the  whole  year. 

Parus  carolinensis  (Aud.).     Carolina  Chickadee. 

This  restless  little  bird  is  likewise  a  resident,  sharing  with  the 
preceding  species  the  same  habits  and  frequenting  the  same 
localities.  The  Chickadee,  like  the  titmouse,  prefers  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  city  mainly,  if  not  wholly,  during  the  colder  season. 
In  winter,  whenever  and  wherever  we  may  go,  we  are  sure  to 
find  these  jolly  birds.  They  form  little  parties  amongst  them- 
selves, or  in  company  with  the  creeper  and  "  golden-crowned 
kinglet,"  and  soon  make  their  presence  known  by  their  incessant 
squeaky  notes.  Besides  this  unmusical  squeaking,  the  chick- 
adee possesses  a  very  simple,  although  neat  little  song,  which 
may  be  given  by  the  following  syllables,  Twe-da-we,  twe-da-wit, 
given  with  a  kind  of  nasal  twang.  This  strain  is  heard  not  only 
during  the  summer,  but  also  during  the  winter.  The  nest,  an 
exceedingly  cozy-looking  structure,  is  made  partly  of  moss. 
One  nest,  found  early  in  May,  was  hid  in  the  stump  of  a  small 
tree  about  five  feet  from  the  ground,  and  contained  six  eggs. 
The  eggs  were  white  with  a  faint  rosy  tinge  and  speckled  with 
reddish  brown,  these  speckles  predominating  near  the  thicker 
end.  The  appearance  of  the  eggs  did  not  indicate  that  incuba- 
tion had  begun. 

Sitta  carolinensis  (Lath.).     White-breasted  Nuthatch. 

Of  the  two  species  of  Nuthatches  which  the  writer  has 
observed  near  Baltimore,  this  is  the  more  common,  and  the  one 
which  remains  with  us  during  the  warm  season.  It  is  in  the 
fullest  sense  a  resident  bird  ;  and  it  is  in  my  opinion  the  best 
climber  of  our  woods,  not  even  excepting  the  species  of  wood- 
pecker. When  we  consider  the  absence  of  support  from  the 
sides  of  the  tail,  the  feathers  there  being  soft,  and  observe  its 
practice  of  climbing  downward,  we  are  constrained  to  admit  that 
it  possesses  qualities  not  attained  by  the  most  advanced  of  the 
woodpeckers.  The  absence  of  a  scansorial  tail,  of  course,  forces 
the  bird  to  rely  for  support  solely  on  his  feet,  and  this  causes  a 


112  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

kind  of  climbing  different  from  that  of  the  woodpecker.  This 
bird  is  easily  recognized  by  its  notes,  wh^gh  sound  like  "  quank," 
and  can  be  heard  for  some  distance.  It  may  be  found  in  woods 
of  all  kinds,  and  also  among  the  trees  that  border  the  rivers, 
which  it  does  not  leave  unless  forced  to  do  so.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  to  mention  the  older  and  better  known  English  name, 
White-bellied  Nuthatch,  but  the  name  above  given  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred, as  the  difference  in  the  two  species  is  more  marked  on  the 
breast  than  on  the  belly. 

Thryothorus  ludovicianus  (Lath.).     Carolina  Wren. 

The  powerful  and  very  musical  notes  of  this  bird  command 
our  attention.  Especially  is  this  so  during  winter,  when  our 
migratory  songsters  have  left  us  and  our  remaining  ones  are 
voiceless.  Now  here,  now  there,  we  hear  the  notes,  and  often 
considerable  time  is  required  to  locate  the  singer.  We  become 
familiar  with  the  song  long  before  we  know  the  bird  that  makes 
it.  Wilson  represents  this  song  by  the  words,  "  Sweet  William," 
but  some  imagination  is  required  to  make  the  sounds  coincide. 
It  may  be  more  accurately  given  by  the  syllables,  "  Dee-deed-la, 
dee-deed-la,"  generally  speaking,  but  sometimes  the  sounds  come 
nearer  "  Dee-deea."  The  musical  notation  would  be  about — 


g •  g^.  g-  gi.  £•  g£   g  gj.^  g  g. 


-F-      -«•  -«-      -«-  •"- 

tt-£-T-E-£5-r£ 


I  have  often  wondered  at  the  seeming  indifference  of  this  bird 
to  the  seasonal  changes  of  our  climate.  It  has  been  heard  peal- 
ing forth  (sit  venia  verbo)  its  strains  in  summer  when  the  ther- 
mometer registered  ninety  degrees,  and  again  on  one  occasion  in 
winter,  when  the  temperature  was  below  twenty  degrees.  The 
bird  is  usually  found  in  bushes,  shrubs  and  small  trees  near 
some  brook  or  rivulet.  One  specimen  was  obtained  from  the 
top  of  a  rather  tall  tree,  but  that  abode  was  so  unusual  that  a 
memorandum  was  made  of  the  fact.  This  wren  is  by  no  means 
uncommon,  neither  is  it  abundant.  It  is  a  resident  bird,  and  no 
difference  has  been  observed  in  its  distribution  during  either 
winter  or  summer. 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  113 

It  has  been  noticed  that  there  seems  to  be  a  spirit  of  rivalry 
among  these  birds  when  singing,  one  trying  to  outsing  the  other. 
They  also  answer  one  another,  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that 
the  answers  are  not  given  in  the  same  pitch. 

Troglodytes  aidon  (Viell.).    House  Wren. 

About  the  latter  part  of  April,  this  "  house  friend  "  makes 
its  appearance.  As  the  common  name  indicates,  this  wren  es- 
pecially prefers  the  neighborhood  of  men,  and  breeds  regardless 
of  their  proximity.  If  a  box  be  provided  in  a  tree  near  the 
house,  the  nest  is  built  there,  or  in  some  convenient  hole  in  the 
house.  On  account  of  its  familiarity  this  species  is  liked  wher- 
ever it  makes  its  abode,  whether  it  be  near  the  farm  house  or  in 
the  city.  In  the  city  of  Baltimore  it  is  not  as  common  as  form- 
erly, probably,  if  not  certainly,  on  account  of  the  presence  of 
the  "  English  Sparrow."  The  song  of  this  bird  is  a  kind  of 
warble;  soon  recognized,  but  difficult  to  indicate,  either  by  sylla- 
bles or  words.  In  the  beginning  of  October,  about  the  time  of 
the  arrival  of  the  "  winter  wren,"  the  house  wren  takes  its 
leave.  This  species  is  seen  to  be  more  abundant  than  the  pre- 
ceding. 

Cistothorus  palustris  (Wils.).    Long-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

In  its  nidificatiou  and  the  localities  which  it  inhabits,  this 
wren  differs  greatly  from  its  relatives.  In  the  marshes  and 
swamps  of  our  rivers,  for  instance  Back  or  Patapsco,  where 
covered  with  "water  oats"  (Zizania  aquatica),  and  reeds, 
mostly  "  cat  tail,"  with  here  and  there  a  patch  of  pickerel  weed 
(Pontederia  cordata)  we  find  the  wren  in  adundance  during  the 
entire  summer.  It  arrives  here  late  in  April  and  remains  until 
near  the  end  of  September,  and  sometimes  a  straggler  is  found 
as  late  as  October.  This  bird  affects  exclusively  swamps  and 
marshes,  and  has  not  been  observed  to  venture  away  from  the 
water,  since  its  chief  delight  is  to  scramble  up  and  down  the 
reed  stems  growing  there.  Now  and  then,  one  will  rise  a  few 
yards  straight  into  the  air,  during  this  time  lustily  singing,  if 
indeed  we  can  so  call  their  screeching  and  crackling  notes. 


114  TRANSACTIONS  OF   THE  [1891 

Wilson  compares  these  notes  to  "  the  crackling  sound,  similar 
to  that  produced  by  air  bubbles  forcing  their  way  through  mud 
when  trod  upon,"  but  this  is  rather  too  hard  to  state  about  our 
little  friend.  The  nest  is  a  semi-globose  structure,  hollow,  with 
a  hole  on  one  side.  Being  composed  mainly  of  the  leaves  of 
the  reeds,  interwoven  with  one  another,  with  some  hanging 
down  or  sticking  out,  it  does  not  present  a  very  neat  appear- 
ance. This  nest  is  always  attached  to  the  stems  of  the  reeds, 
usually  typha,  and  so  constructed  that  sometimes  as  many  as  five  or 
six  of  the  stems  pass  through  its  walls,  thereby  making  it  very 
secure.  The  eggs  are  small,  about  five  or  six  in  a  set  and  are  of  a 
dark  color,  similar  to  that  of  chocolate.  The  writer  has  found 
nests  with  eggs  early  in  June,  and  again  in  July,  making  it  ex- 
tremely probable  that  there  is  more  than  one  brood  in  a  season. 

Mniotilta  varia  (Linn.).     Black  and  White  Warbler. 

Of  the  smaller  birds  that  inhabit  our  woodlands,  the  "Black 
and  White  Creeper,"  as  it  is  usually  called,  is  certainly  one  of 
the  most  characteristic.  This  bird  climbs  the  trees  in  all  direc- 
tions, with  a  dexterity  and  agility  entirely  foreign  to  our  other 
warblers,  and  only  to  be  found  again  in  the  true  "  creeper,"  a 
common  winter  bird  whose  place  it  seems  to  take  during  sum- 
mer. The  writer  has  never  heard  the  bird  utter  sounds  that  might 
be  called  a  song,  the  only  notes  given  forth  being  some  screech- 
ing ones,  usually  uttered  as  it  flies  swiftly  from  one  tree  to  an- 
other. It  arrives  in  this  region  about  the  third  week  in  April, 
and  leaves  in  October,  having  been  observed  as  late  as  the 
ninth  of  that  month.  This  species  is  rather  abundant  in  suit- 
able localities,  and  not  possessing  a  shy  disposition,  its  habits  may 
readily  be  observed. 

Helmintherus  vermivorus  (Gmel.).  Worm-Eating  Warbler. 

Although  a  regular  summer  visitor  in  this  latitude,  we  have  to 
consider  this  Warbler  as  a  rather  uncommon  bird,  and  one  which 
has  been  nowhere  found  abundant.  It  seems  to  prefer  woods 
and  groves  composed  of  small  trees  and  bushes,  with  thick  un- 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  115 

dergrowth,  where  it  is  observed  to  fly  from  tree  to  tree  as  if  in 
search  of  insects.  Its  motion  reminded  me  sometimes  of  the 
darting  of  the  flycatchers.  The  bird  was  formerly  to  be  found 
among  the  groves  and  copses  bordering  the  Back  and  Patapsco 
rivers,  and  did  not  appear  at  any  time  fond  of  running  on  the 
ground.  It  remains  continuously  from  about  the  10th  of  May 
until  some  time  in  the  month  of  September. 

Dendroica  aestiva  (Gmel.).  Yellow  Warbler. 

Of  the  genus  "  Dendroica"  proper,  this  is  our  most  common 
species,  and  the  one  which,  owing  to  its  habits,  may  be  most 
readily  observed.  The  "Yellow  Warbler"  frequents  small 
trees  and  shrubs  along  the  road,  or  willows  and  similar  trees 
along  the  water,  and  even  visits  our  gardens  and  yards,  especially 
on  its  arrival,  which  is  about  the  24th  of  April.  As  early  as  the 
second  or  third  week  in  September,  it  takes  its  departure. 
The  notes,  although  not  very  remarkable,  make  a  pleasant  war- 
ble, sounding  something  like  the  syllables  dui-dia-dee. 

Dendroica  discolor  (Viell.).  Prairie  Warbler. 

One  not  acquainted  with  the  notes  of  this  little  warbler 
might  readily  conclude  that  it  is  a  rather  rare  summec  visitor. 
Although  not  quite  so  common  as  the  "yellow  warbler,"  in 
suitable  localities  it  is  abundant  all  through  the  summer.  The 
favorite  habit  of  the  bird  is  to  hide  in  the  foliage  of  some  ever- 
green, for  example  the  cedar,  but  it  does  not  adhere  exclusively 
to  such  trees,  and  betrays  itself  by  the  curious  notes  of  its  song. 
The  notes  sound  like  the  syllable  "  Ts,"  which  gradually  grows 
higher  and  louder,  and  abruptly  terminates  with  the  syllable 
<(  Ee-a,"  pronounced  with  emphasis.  The  time  of  the  arrival  in 
this  locality  is  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  "  yellow  warbler," 
and  the  departure  takes  place  in  September. 

Dendroica  vigorsii  (Aud.).  Pine  Warbler. 

Early  in  April,  the  Pine  Warbler  makes  its  appearance,  and 
becomes  more  abundant  throughout  this  month  in  all  suitable 
localities.  Later  on,  the  numbers  greatly  decrease,  so  that  as 


116  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

summer  advances  it  becomes  less  numerous  than  most  of  our 
other  warblers.  In  the  fall,  and  especially  towards  the  time  of 
its  departure,  near  the  end  of  October,  it  once  more  becomes 
numerous.  Both  in  the  spring  and  fall,  the  writer  found  this 
species  in  barren  grounds  and  fields,  overgrown  with  small 
pines,  such  localities,  without  doubt,  being  preferred  by  it. 
Nevertheless,  we  obtained  specimens  in  shrubbery  and  under- 
growth, as  well  as  in  some  woods,  destitute  of  coniferous  trees. 
During  the  period  of  migration,  it  gathers  together  in  flocks, 
composed  of  a  dozen  or  more  individuals,  which  alight  on  the 
small  pines  and  at  times  are  also  seen  on  the  ground.  Except  a 
chirp,  common  to  most  of  the  smaller  birds,  the  writer  has  never 
heard  it  utter  a  sound  which  might  be  called  a  song. 

Sdurus  aurocapillus  (Linn.).     Oven  Bird. 

One  of  the  most  common  birds  to  be  found  in  the  woods  dur- 
ing the  summer  is  this  species,  better  known  under  the  name 
of  "Golden-crowned  Thrush."  Soon  after  its  arrival,  which  is 
about  the  20th  of  April,  the  woods  almost  ring  with  its  loud 
voice.  The  song  consists  of  but  one  syllable  or  tone,  frequently 
and  rapidly  repeated.  This  song,  if  once  heard,  can  with  ease 
be  always  distinguished  from  that  of  other  birds.  In  sunshine 
or  rain,  even  during  thunder  and  lightning,  the  loud  notes  of  this 
species  have  been  heard.  It  delights  to  run  on  the  ground 
among  the  leaves,  after  the  manner  of  the  <(  towhee,"  and  the 
"red  thrasher."  This  warbler  is  distinctively  a  woodland 
bird,  and  is  seldom,  if  ever,  observed  outside  of  such  places. 

The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground  and  is  usually  covered,  and 
has  an  opening  on  one  side.  This  mode  of  construction  of  the 
nest  has  caused  the  bird  to  be  called  "  oven  bird."  About  the 
middle  of  October  it  leaves  us,  the  18th  being  the  latest  that  it 
has  been  observed,  but  long  before  that  time  it  has  become  silent 
and  retired. 

Seiurus  motacilla  (Viell.).     Louisiana  Water  Thrush. 

According  to  our  observations,  this  is  a  rather  rare  species 
around  Baltimore.  The  few  that  have  been  noticed  have  been 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  117 

seen  iu  damp  woods,  along  the  side  of  a  brooklet,  during  the 
month  of  May  and  again  in  July,  and  seem  of  a  rather  shy  and 
quiet  disposition.  Its  song  is  as  yet  unknown  to  the  writer. 


Geothlypis  trichas  (Linn.).     Maryland  Yellow-throat. 

This  dainty  little  bird  arrives  in  this  latitude  about  the  20th 
of  April.  In  October  it  moves  south  to  more  congenial  quar- 
ters, the  10th  of  that  month  being  the  latest  that  any  have  been 
noticed.  This  species  is  one  of  our  most  abundant  summer 
birds,  frequenting  bushes,  brambles  and  all  kinds  of  under- 
growth in  the  neighborhood  of  water,  and,  like  some  of  the 
wrens,  it  has  been  observed  even  among  the  reeds  in  marshes. 
The  song  cannot  be  better  imitated  than  by  the  syllables  Wilson 
has  already  given,  viz.,  "  Whititee,"  the  accent  being  on  the 
first  syllable.  But  the  note  habitually  and  more  frequently 
heard,  is  a  kind  of  chuck,  a  call  note,  common  to  many  of  our 
smaller  birds.  An  acute  observer  can  usually  distinguish  the 
different  birds,  even  though  the  call  notes  resemble  one  another. 


Icteria  virens  (Linn.).     Yellow-breasted  Chat. 

This  is  certainly  one  of  our  most  interesting  and  characteristic 
birds.  The  song  or  notes,  be  it  what  it  may,  is  such  a  mixture 
of  all  possible  sounds,  that  it  really  astonishes  one.  Such  an  in- 
cessant chatting  and  gabbling  is  kept  up,  that  the  bird  is  readily 
distinguished,  for  not  one  of  our  other  birds  exhibits  such  peculi- 
arities. This  bird  is  common,  but  is  usually  more  frequently 
heard  than  seen.  Often,  when  after  considerable  effort  we  seem 
to  have  located  the  place  from  whence  the  sounds  come,  we  look 
and  watch  in  vain  for  a  glimpse  of  the  bird. 

The  nest  is  usually  placed  among  the  thickest  briers  and 
brambles,  and  is  composed  chiefly  of  dry  leaves  for  the  exterior, 
the  inner  lining  being  of  thin  strips  of  grape-vine  bark.  The 
eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  white,  with  brownish  spots. 
This  bird  arrives  here  about  May,  and  leaves  late  in  August, 
the  writer  never  having  observed  a  specimen  after  that  month. 


118  TRANSACTIONS   OP  THE  [1891 

Sylvania  canadensis  (Linn.). 

This  is  one  of  our  rarer  summer  birds,  which  during  the 
spring  and  fall  migration  is  not  at  all  uncommon  in  its  favorite 
localities.  The  disposition  of  the  bird  is  quiet  and  retired, 
dwelling  in  trees  and  busying  itself  in  the  catching  of  various 
kinds  of  insects.  It  is  most  common  during  the  first  and  second 
weeks  in  May;  after  that  time  the  number  becomes  gradually 
smaller,  and,  as  a  rule,  not  many  remain  with  us  during  the 
summer.  In  September  again  it  becomes  more  numerous,  but 
soon  leaves  us  for  the  winter.  The  writer  has  had  no  oppor- 
tunity of  hearing  the  song,  and  consequently  can  make  no 
remarks  upon  it. 

Setophaga  ruticilla  (Linn.).     American  Redstart. 

From  the  latter  part  of  April  until  early  in  October  this 
species  is  a  constant  and  common  inhabitant  of  our  woods.  The 
habits  of  this  bird  are  the  same  as  those  of  a  flycatcher,  while 
on  the  wing  constantly  pursuing  little  insects,  and  diving,  so  to 
speak,  after  them  in  all  directions.  The  notes  are  meagre,  and 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  imitate  or  represent  them  by  words  or 
syllables.  Sometimes  notes  are  uttered  which  sound  like  the 
noise  made  by  the  smacking  of  the  tongue. 

Vireo  olivaceus  (Linn.).     Red-eyed  Vireo. 

Of  the  three  species  of  Vireos  that  the  writer  has  observed 
near  Baltimore  during  summer,  this  one  is  by  far  the  most  com- 
mon. This  agreeable  little  bird  may  be  met  with  almost  any- 
where except  in  coniferous  woods,  which  it  does  not  frequent. 
Its  appearance  the  latter  part  of  April  is  soon  recognized  by  the 
pleasant  and  continuous  warble.  Owing  to  its  plumage,  which 
the  name  bespeaks,  the  bird  is  well  protected  by  the  green  foliage 
of  the  trees  which  it  inhabits,  and  for  this  reason  is  easily  over- 
looked as  it  becomes  silent  on  the  approach  of  September.  It 
does  not  leave  us  until  the  close  of  that  month,  and  has  been 
observed  as  late  as  October  5th.  The  nest  is  pensile,  is  placed 
in  a  small  oak,  and  is  attached  to  two  twigs,  which  are  some- 
times, but  not  always,  forked.  In  appearance  it  is  basket-like, 


1891]  MAKYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  119 

and  composed  of  various  kinds  of  material,  such  as  leaves,  pieces 
of  wasps'  nests,  strips  of  bark,  etc.  The  inner  lining  is  com- 
posed of  fine  strips  of  the  bark  of  the  grape-vine  and  the  stems 
of  grasses.  It  has  been  stated  that  hair  is  used  in  this  lining, 
but  the  writer  has  never  met  with  it  in  his  observations.  The 
eggs  are  pure  white,  irregularly  marked  near  the  thicker  end 
with  small  dark  brown  specks.  In  a  set  of  four  eggs,  three  were 
observed  to  have  a  few  dots  near  the  smaller  end,  which  were 
missing  from  the  fourth.  This  set  was  taken  in  the  second  week 
of  June. 

t  Vireo  noveboracensis  (Gmel.).    White-eyed  Vireo. 

This  species  makes  its  appearance  about  the  same  time  as  the 
red-eyed  vireo,  to  which  it  is  closely  related.  The  writer  has 
observed  it  in  the  fall,  not  quite  as  late  as  the  former.  Its  ways 
are  a  little  more  vivacious  and  sprightly,  but  it  frequents  nearly 
the  same  localities,  and  its  nidification  is  not  essentially  dif- 
ferent, while  its  notes  are  quite  distinct  from  those  of  that  species. 
It  seems  to  be  quite  common  in  this  region,  but  less  abundant 
than  the  red -eyed  vireo. 

Vireo  flavifrons  (Viell.).     Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

During  the  period  of  migration  this  species  is  not  so  abundant 
as  the  two  preceding  ones,  and  in  summer  the  difference  in  num- 
bers is  much  greater.  It  frequents  the  medium-sized  and  large 
trees  of  woods  in  company  with  birds  of  its  own  kind,  but  some- 
times with  other  vireos.  The  notes  are  rather  weak,  not  nearly 
so  loud  and  vivacious  as  those  of  the  two  preceding  vireos,  and 
show  a  marked  difference  in  that  respect.  It  arrives  in  this 
vicinity  during  the  latter  part  of  April  and  leaves  toward  the 
close  of  September. 

Ampelis  cedrorum  (Viell.).     Cedar  Waxwing. 

This  well-known  species,  commonly  called  by  the  farmer 
Cedar  Lark,  may  be  observed  from  early  in  March  throughout 
the  summer  until  the  early  part  of  December,  but  varies  greatly 


120  TRANSACTIONS  OF   THE  [1891 

in  numbers  according  to  the  season.  During  March  and  April 
it  is  not  abundant,  but  may  be  met  with  occasionally.  Through- 
out May,  and  even  in  June,  it  collects  in  flocks  in  localities 
suited  to  its  wants,  and  always  frequents  woods  in  preference  to 
shrubs  and  bushes,  and  in  the  fall  feeds  on  different  kinds  of 
berries.  The  bird  breeds  late,  as  may  be  inferred  from  its  keep- 
ing in  flocks  so  late  in  the  season.  It  has  no  song,  nor  does  it 
give  forth  any  peculiar  notes.  The  nest  is  rather  large  for  the 
size  of  the  bird,  is  not  at  all  neat  looking,  is  almost  entirely  con- 
structed of  dry  stalks  of  grasses,  sometimes  of  poa,  and  is 
usually  placed  on  an  apple  or  other  tree  in  the  orchard.  Rootlets 
and  stalks  of  small  plants  which  are  common  in  yards  and 
orchards,  such  as  plantago,  are  also  used  in  the  construction  of 
the  nest.  The  eggs  are  three  or  four  in  number,  of  a  bluish- 
gray  ground  color,  thickly  specked  with  small  and  smaller  brown 
dots  near  and  around  the  larger  end,  near  the  middle  marked 
with  some  irregular,  dark  purplish- brown  blotches,  which  are 
sometimes  confluent,  while  around  the  smaller  end  there  are  only 
a  few  small  dots.  Besides  these,  the  eggs  have  some  irregular 
smaller  spots  of  pale  purple  between  the  dark  spots.  One  nest 
containing  three  eggs  was  obtained  in  the  second  week  of  July. 
Whether  these  belonged  to  a  second  brood  or  to  a  retarded  first 
brood,  we  are  not  able  to  state. 

Chdidon  erythrogaster  (Bodd).     Barn  Swallow. 

This  swallow,  like  the  rest  of  its  tribe,  is  one  of  the  earliest 
birds  to  arrive  from  the  South,  reaching  this  vicinity  about  the 
first  of  April,  at  which  time  it  is  liable  to  be  overtaken  by  cold 
and  snow.  Coming  as  it  does,  in  large  numbers,  it  is  well 
known  and  liked  by  every  one.  Its  habits  are  so  familiar  that 
it  is  unnecessary  to  make  extended  remarks  upon  that  subject. 
As  is  well  known,  it  breeds  in  barns  and  similar  buildings.  The 
cup-shaped  nest  is  composed  mainly  of  mud,  and  is  fastened  by 
one  side  to  boards  and  planks  of  the  different  buildings.  Toward 
the  close  of  August  it  begins  to  collect  in  large  numbers,  which 
are  continually  increasing,  and  about  the  twentieth  of  September 
it  departs  for  the  South. 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  121 

Tachycineta  bicolor  (Viell.).    White-bellied  Swallow. 

This  beautiful  swallow  arrives  early  in  April.  It  is  very 
common  and  abundant  during  the  spring,  but  is  less  so  in  the 
summer ;  the  barn-swallow  at  that  time  being  the  more  common 
of  the  two.  It  leaves  this  region  early  in  September,  and  appears 
to  be  more  attached  to  the  water  than  the  foregoing  species. 

Progne  subis  (Linn.).     Purple  Martin. 

This  is  the  largest,  and,  as  far  as  the  adult  male  is  concerned, 
the  darkest  colored  of  our  swallows.  It  is  common  throughout 
summer  in  open  places,  breeding  near  houses  in  boxes  or  other 
contrivances  made  for  its  use  by  the  people.  We  have  observed 
it  as  late  as  to  near  the  middle  of  September.  It  delights  to 
perch  in  company  with  the  barn  and  cliff  swallows  on  the  tele- 
graph wires  of  the  roads,  now  and  then  darting  off  and  making 
aerial  evolutions,  while  the  others  clean  their  plumage  or  sing 
in  plain  and  simple  notes  composed  of  guttural  sounds. 

Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (Say.).     Cliff  Swallow. 

This  bird  has  never  been  found  by  the  writer  to  be  numerous 
in  this  vicinity,  either  in  spring  or  summer.  During  the  latter 
part  of  summer  we  have  observed  it  in  company  with  the  mar- 
tin and  barn  swallow.  The  habits,  time  of  arrival  and  depart- 
ure are  about  those  of  the  other  species  mentioned. 

Clivicola  riparia  (Linn.).     Bank  Swallow. 

This  bird  arrives  in  April,  it  is  extremely  common  and  asso- 
ciates in  great  numbers  with  its  own  kind.  It  frequents  the 
banks,  cliffs,  etc.,  of  our  rivers  and  streams,  and  of  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay.  It  breeds  in  holes  made  in  these  places.  On  one 
occasion,  in  July,  at  Bay  Ridge,  below  Annapolis,  at  least  two 
hundred  of  these  holes,  some  close  and  others  wider  apart,  were 
dug  in  all  directions  into  the  almost  perpendicular  cliffs,  out  of 
which  holes  the  swallows  would  fly  back  and  forth  with  the  ac- 
tivity of  a  nest  of  bees.  The  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  these  holes, 
are  white.  About  the  middle  or  close  of  September  it  departs 
to  a  mildar  climate. 

[MAY  18,  1891.] 


122  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (Aud.).     Rough-winged  Swallow. 

This  species  is  without  doubt  our  rarest  swallow.  It  is  a 
regular  summer  visitor,  which  frequents  the  same  localities  as 
the  bank  swallow.  On  several  occasions  we  observed  it  to  en- 
ter holes  in  banks,  not  far  from  one  occupied  by  a  kingfisher, 
but  nothing  certain  could  be  found  out  as  to  whether  it  had  been 
breeding  or  not.  The  time  was  early  in  June,  when  it  should 
be  ready  to  breed,  and  a  pair  was  noticed  in  the  same  locality 
for  a  few  consecutive  weeks.  Unlike  the  preceding  species,  this 
is  not  at  all  social,  and  it  is  never  seen  in  large  communities.  It 
may  be  observed  from  April  19th  until  the  middle  of  September. 
There  is  nothing  peculiar  in  its  notes. 

PiroMga  erythromelas  (Viell.).     Scarlet  Tanager. 

This  elegant  bird  arrives  here  usually  about  the  beginning  of 
May.  It  is  generally  distributed  over  the  country  in  woodlands, 
and  frequents  preferably  the  tops  of  trees  with  thick  foliage. 
The  usual  notes  are  some  kind  of  a  chirp,  besides  which  it  has  a 
few  whistling  notes,  not  very  loud,  but  quite  pleasant  to  the 
listener.  Nevertheless,  as  the  bird  is  of  a  quiet  disposition,  it 
does  not  make  much  use  of  its  capabilities  as  a  singer. 

Although  a  regular  inhabitant  of  our  woods,  it  does  not  seem 
to  be  abundant  anywhere.  It  is  of  a  solitary  disposition,  and 
notable  for  its  neglect  to  seek  the  company  of  others,  even  of  its 
own  kind.  Towards  the  end  of  August  it  prepares  to  leave  this 
region,  and  so  regular  is  its  migrating  that  we  have  thus  far 
failed  to  find  even  a  single  individual  as  late  as  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember. 

Piranga  rubra  (Linn.).     Summer  Tanager. 

This  Tanager,  better  known  under  the  name  of  "  Summer 
Redbird,"  is  much  rarer  than  the  "  scarlet  tanager,"  as  well  dur- 
ing the  period  of  migration  as  throughout  the  summer.  It  ar- 
rives here  about  the  second  week  in  May,  or  a  little  later  than 
the  "scarlet  tanager."  Early  in  September  it  leaves  us,  and 


1391]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  Or  SCIENCES.  123 

the  5th  of  that  month  is  the  latest  date  at  which  the  writer  has 
seen  specimens.  Those  have  always  occurred  to  us  in  woods,  where 
it  frequents  the  tops  of  trees  much  after  the  manner  of  the  other 
tanager.  Its  song  possesses  some  peculiarly  strange  notes,  which 
attracted  my  attention  before  the  bird  had  ever  been  within 
reach  of  my  sight. 

Spinus  tristis  (Linn.).     American  Goldfinch. 

This  one  of  our  resident  birds  is  common  alike  in  summer 
and  winter,  nor  did  I  ever  notice  that  during  the  time  of  migra- 
tion their  numbers  were  greatly  increased,  as  is  the  case  with 
many  of  our  other  birds.  The  species  almost  always  collects  in 
flocks,  especially  during  the  colder  season,  when  it  often  accom- 
panies the  snowbird,  and  other  sparrows  in  running  over  the 
ground  after  food,  or  in  hanging  to  stalks  of  weeds  while  search- 
ing for  seeds.  In  winter  it  shows  a  decided  fondness  for  the 
fruits  of  the  common  alder.  When  on  the  tree,  the  individuals 
sit  so  close  together  that  at  one  time,  much  to  my  regret  and  sur- 
prise, at  a  single  discharge  of  my  gun,  five  birds  fell  to  the 
ground,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  my  gun  was  charged  with 
only  a  very  small  load  of  shot.  It  flies  very  singularly,  in 
curved,  or  more  correctly,  undulating  lines,  up  and  down,  every 
now  and  then  uttering  its  well-known  notes,  which  sound  like 
"  Doo-i,"  the  syllable  "  i  "  being  accented. 

The  nest  is  cup-shaped,  very  neat  looking,  and  placed  not  far 
from  the  ground  on  a  small  tree.  The  eggs  are  usually  five  in 
number,  and  of  a  whitish  color. 

The  plumage  of  the  male,  as  is  well  known,  undergoes  consid- 
erable change  early  in  the  fall,  notably  in  September.  Several 
names  have  also  been  applied  to  the  bird,  such  as  Thistlebird 
and  Yellowbird,  but  "  Wild  Canary  "  is  the  one  under  which  it 
is  best  known  by  our  farmers  and  other  people. 

Pooeaetes  gramineus  (Gmel.).     Vesper  Sparrow. 

The  "  Grass  Sparrow/'  as  this  species  is  commonly  called,  has 
been  observed  by  the  writer  from  early  in  March  (3d)  through 


124  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

the  summer  until  late  in  the  fall,  but  it  is  not  at  all  as  abundant 
during  summer  as  it  is  in  the  spring,  especially  in  April  and  the 
greater  part  of  May,  the  majority  evidently  go  northward ; 
Maryland  and  Virginia  being  about  the  southernmost  breeding- 
places.  This  species  probably  also  winters  here,  since  we  have 
obtained  a  specimen  as  late  as  the  6th  of  December.  This,  how- 
ever, seems  to  have  been  an  exceptional  instance,  as  the  species 
has  never  been  observed  by  us  at  a  later  date,  although  it  has 
been  eagerly  looked  for,  and  this  bird  is  easily  enough  observable 
at  any  moderate  distance.  Grass  and  clover  fields  are  its  favor- 
ite haunts,  as  also  grassy  sloping  banks  along  railroads.  It  pre- 
fers to  keep  to  the  ground  and  is  hardly  ever  to  be  seen  perched 
on  trees,  but  when  exceptionally  met  with  there,  is  never  perched 
at  any  great  distance  above  the  ground. 

Ammodromus  savanarum  passerinus  ( Wils.).     Grasshopper 
Sparrow. 

Of  our  Sparrows  proper,  this  is  without  doubt  the  least  abund- 
ant species.  In  fact,  as  far  as  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this 
city  is  concerned,  it  can  by  no  means  be  called  an  abundant 
bird.  It  has  been  observed  by  us  from  May  throughout  sum- 
mer until  October,  frequenting  the  fields  and  pastures,  and  run- 
ning on  the  ground  like  the  grass-sparrow.  Now  and  then  it 
mounts  a  fence  or  some  small  bush,  but  it  prefers  to  stay  on  the 
ground.  With  regard  to  the  name,  it  is  better  known  as  the 
"  Yellow-winged  Sparrow,"  which  has  been  used  to  designate  it 
by  all  the  earlier  ornithologists. 

Ammodromus  maritimus  (Wils.).     Seaside  Sparro'.v. 

This  is  the  only  species  in  the  present  list  that  I  have  not 
observed  alive.  One  specimen  was  collected  some  five  or  six  years 
ago  on  Miller's  Island,  by  the  late  Mr.  Wolle,  Sr.,  at  whose 
house  I  had  the  opportunity  to  examine  the  bird  before  it  was 
mounted.  As  it  was  unknown  to  Mr.  Wolle,  who  had  handled 
so  many  of  our  birds,  I  was  led  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  a  rare 
visitor  in  this  section  of  the  country. 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  125 

Mdospiza  fasciata  (Grnel.).     Song  Sparrow. 

This  species  may  be  found  the  whole  year  through.  As  far 
as  my  observations  extend,  its  numbers  do  not  decrease  in  winter 
even  if  the  weather  should  be  severe.  It  frequents  the  borders 
of  various  bodies  of  water,  both  great  and  small.  Especially 
during  winter  it  may  be  found  in  swampy  spots  overgrown  with 
reeds,  shrubs  and  small  willows.  During  that  season  it  may 
also  be  found  associated  with  the  snowbird  and  other  small  birds, 
congregating  in  flocks,  running  on  the  ground  like  little  mice, 
and  busily  engaged  in  searching  for  food.  As  a  singer  it  is  not 
surpassed  by  any  of  the  other  sparrows.  Curing  the  whole 
year,  not  excepting  the  cold  season,  its  pleasant  notes  may  be 
heard.  The  strain  is  usually  as  follows  :  three  or  four  distinct 
moderately  high  notes,  often  embellished  by  grace  notes,  followed 
by  a  lower  note,  which  is  given  forth  with  a  peculiar  squeaky 
twang  not  in  accord  with  the  rest  of  the  song,  and  succeeded  by 
a  very  high  trill,  which  is  finished  with  a  still  higher  note. 

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1  he  nest  is  usually  placed  on  the  ground,  and  it  is  composed 
of  grass,  the  inside  being  lined  with  horse-hair,  in  which  are 
placed  four  or  five  eggs,  thickly  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown. 

Spizella  pusilla  (Wils..)     Field  Sparrow. 

This  little  sparrow  remains  with  us  in  small  numb3rs  through- 
out the  winter,  but  the  majority  of  specimens  leave  about  the 
month  of  November  upon  the  approach  of  severe  weather,  while 
in  the  month  of  March  its  numbers  may  be  seen  to  increase. 
During  summer  it  is  distributed  everywhere  excepting  in  the 
woods,  and  it  is  not  confined,  as  its  name  implies,  to  the  fields. 


126  TRANSACTIONS   OF  THE  [1891 

It  may  be  found  along  the  roadsides  as  well  as  in  the  hedgerows 
and  bushes,  and  often  perched  on  a  tree  or  telegraph  wire,  which 
latter  seems  to  be  one  of  its  favorite  resting  places.  There  it 
utters  its  few  simple  notes  in  a  rather  faint  and  high-pitched 
tone,  differing  entirely  from  those  of  the  song  sparrow.  The 
nest  is  chiefly  composed  of  fine  grass  stems,  lined  with  horse- 
hair. The  eggs  are  white,  usually  tinged  with  green  and  spotted 
with  rusty  brown. 

In  January  last  the  writer  obtained  one  specimen  which  was 
partly  an  albino.  The  top  of  its  head,  some  of  the  larger  and 
smaller  feathers  of  the  wing  covertb  and  a  few  of  those  on  the 
back  and  in  the  tail  were  snow-white.  No  definite  pattern  of 
color  was  here  observable,  but  the  markings  were  irregularly 
distributed  over  the  upper  part  of  the  body. 


Spizella  socialis  (Wils.).     Chipping  Sparrow. 

This  lovely  little  species  is  quite  as  common  as  the  field  spar- 
row. It  arrives  here  in  March  and  remains  throughout  October. 
According  to  my  own  observations  it  does  not  winter  here,  since 
the  most  eager  search  has  failed  to  yield  me  a  single  specimen 
during  that  season.  This  bird  is  more  familiar  and  attached  to 
man  than  any  of  our  other  species.  While  there  are  others 
which  live  in  as  close  proximity  to  houses,  and  still  others  which 
lose  their  shyness  when  driven  by  hunger,  our  bird  may  be  seen 
at  excursion  resorts  and  picnic  grounds  hopping  around  our  feet 
searching  for  crumbs  without  showing  the  least  fear,  and  this  it 
does  at  a  time  when  there  is  plenty  of  food  everywhere,  and  no 
occasion  for  the  bird  to  abandon  its  natural  shyness  and  timidity. 
Its  song  is  a  pleasant  warble,  not  so  faint  as  that  of  the  field 
sparrow.  The  nest  is  composed  chiefly  of  slender  grass  stems, 
occasionally  mixed  with  threads,  and  is  lined  with  horse-hair. 
We  have  found  it  on  apple  trees  in  the  orchard,  likewise  beside 
the  road  on  a  blackberry  bush  not  more  than  three  or  four  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  once  attached  to  a  porch.  We  have 
observed  the  female  incubating  in  the  month  of  August.  The 
eggs  are  usually  four  or  five  in  number,  of  a  light  greenish  blue 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  127 

color,  blotched  and  speckled  near  the  larger  end  with  various 
shades  of  brown  or  dark  purple,  and  often  have  small  dark  spots 
distributed  here  and  there  over  most  of  the  surface. 


Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (Linn.).     Towhee. 

About  the  middle  of  April  the  Towhee,  better  known  under 
the  name  of  Ground  Finch,  or  Ground  Robin,  makes  its  appear- 
ance. The  earliest  date  of  arrival  observed  by  me  has  been 
about  the  tenth  of  that  month.  From  the  date  of  its  arrival, 
and  continuing  all  through  the  summer  until  the  time  of 
departure,  it  is  one  of  our  most  common  birds.  It  occurs  almost 
everywhere,  and  may  be  seen  near  hedges,  along  the  roadside  in 
shrubs  and  bushes,  and  in  all  kinds  of  thickets.  Owing  to  its 
size,  color  and  habits,  it  is  well  known  to  our  farmers.  Often  it 
may  be  seen  on  the  ground,  like  the  Red  Thrush,  scratching  up 
the  leaves  in  search  of  food,  and  thereby  causing  a  quick  rustling 
noise,  especially  when  several  individuals  have  collected  together. 
This  species  seems  to  avoid  the  depths  of  the  woods.  The  nest 
is  placed  on  the  ground,  and  appears  rather  large  and  slovenly 
looking.  It  is  built  chiefly  of  fresh  grass-stalks,  the  outside, 
excepting  the  lowest  part,  being  composed  of  various  dry  leaves, 
with  the  thin,  flexible  stems,  sometimes  a  foot  in  length,  woven 
into  the  grass-stems,  which  give  the  outside  a  coarse  appear- 
ance, and  especially  as  the  nest  is  surrounded  by  dry  leaves. 
Oak  leaves  seem  to  be  the  kind  which  it  prefers  for  that  pur- 
pose. The  eggs  are  rather  large,  of  a  whitish  ground  color, 
blotched,  speckled,  and  spotted  all  over  with  reddish  brown,  but 
more  closely  so  near  the  larger  end.  Between  the  darker  blotches 
there  are  also  some  faint  lilac  spots,  which  may  be  seen  by  close 
examination.  The  usual  number  of  eggs  seems  to  be  five. 
A  nest  was  found  by  the  writer  on  the  fifteenth  of  August,  in 
which  were  three  newly  hatched  young  ones,  which  could  hardly 
have  been  more  than  one  or  two  days  old.  These,  we  are  quite 
confident,  must  have  belonged  to  a  third  brood.  The  smaller 
number  of  eggs  represented  by  these  young  birds  may  be 
accounted  for  by  the  lateness  in  the  season.  This  nest  was  situ- 
ated in  a  small  bush,  not,  as  usual,  on  the  ground. 


128  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

The  usual  notes  are  "  Tow-hee,"  uttered  sharp  and  distinct, 
and  with  the  second  syllable  accented.  Besides  this  note,  the 
bird  gives  forth  another  quite  pleasant  little  strain,  which  may 
be  imitated  by  the  syllables,  "  Dya-dee-didrr." 


fe 


During  the  latter  part  of  October  the  Towhee  leaves  for  a 
more  pleasant  temperature,  so  that  by  the  first  of  November  the 
writer  has  always  failed  to  discover  it.  It  seems  doubtful  that 
this  species  ever  winters  in  this  latitude,  as  has  been  asserted  by 
several  observers. 


Cardinalis  cardinalis  (Linn.).     Cardinal. 

This  dignified  and  brilliant  colored  bird  stays  in  this  region 
throughout  the  year,  and  it  is  just  as  common  during  the  winter 
as  in  the  summer.  While  being  one  of  our  most  conspicuous  in 
summer,  it  is  even  more  so  in  winter,  when  the  leaves  no  longer 
cover  the  trees.  It  is  distributed  almost  everywhere,  excepting 
in  the  fields  and  higher  woods,  but  it  also  ventures  to  appear 
around  the  farm-house,  and  is  quite  familiar  to  the  country 
people,  who  call  it  by  the  name  of  "  Red  Bird  "  in  preference  to 
that  of  Cardinal.  The  bird  is  usually  found  in  pairs,  and  even 
iu  winter  the  writer  has  rarely  seen  one  flying  into  a  bush  or 
thicket  that  has  not  been  followed  by  a  second  individual.  At 
such  times  it  utters  a  peculiar  call  which  sounds  like  "  zeett," 
and  this  call  may  be  heard  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Besides 
the  above  cry,  it  gives  forth  a  fine  song,  which  may  be  heard 
from  early  in  March  until  the  close  of  summer,  and  during  all 
this  time  it  is  a  most  indefatigable  songster,  repeating  its  strains 
at  frequent  intervals. 

The  nest  is  placed  in  small  trees,  besides  hushes  and  brambles. 
It  is  made  of  fine  rootlets,  bits  of  weeds  and  strips  of  the  bark 
of  grape-vine.  Its  eggs  are  whitish,  and  marked  with  various 
shades  of  brownish. 


1891]  MAEYLAND  ACADEMY  OP  SCIENCES.  129 

Passerina  cyanea  (Linn.).     Indigo  Bunting. 

The  "  Indigo  Bird,"  as  this  is  commonly  called,  arrives  here 
early  in  May ;  it  is  consequently  one  of  the  later  birds  in  its 
return.  All  through  the  summer  it  is  a  most  abundant  song- 
ster, and  in  the  autumn  we  have  observed  it  as  late  as  the  5th 
of  October.  While  resident  here  it  chiefly  frequents  the  borders 
of  woods,  but  it  may  also  be  seen  on  trees  and  shrubs  next  the 
roadside,  or  near  the  buildings  on  the  farm ;  at  other  times  it 
likewise  perches  on  the  wire  of  the  telegraph  lines.  From  its 
color  and  habit  of  remaining  unconcealed  it  becomes  well  known 
to  our  farmers,  who  call  it  by  the  name  of  "Little  Blue  Bird." 
This  bird  has  a  very  pleasant  little  song,  which  suggests  the 
syllables  "  Di-a,"  repeated  four  or  five  times,  and  finished  with 
a  high-pitched  but  not  sharp  note.  This  song  is  renewed  with 
great  persistence,  while  the  bird  rests  fully  exposed  to  view  on 
the  branch  of  some  tall  tree  or  the  telegraph  wire. 


The  nest  is  placed  on  a  bush,  not  far  from  the  ground.  One 
nest  was  found  by  the  writer  on  a  small  sassafras  tree,  about  four 
feet  from  the  ground,  which  was  suspended  by  three  twigs.  It 
is  built  chiefly  of  grass,  sometimes  with  pieces  of  rags  on  the 
inside.  The  eggs  are  white,  with  a  bluish  tinge.  A  nest  was 
found  by  me  as  late  as  second  week  in  August,  in  which  were 
three  young  birds,  probably  not  more  than  two  or  three  days 
old.  Returning  to  the  nest  shortly  thereafter  the  young  ones 
were  absent,  although  they  could  hardly  have  been  old  enough 
to  fly. 

Spiza  americana  (Gmel.).     Dickcissel. 

The  neighborhood  of  Baltimore  does  not  seem  to  be  one  of 
the  favorite  localities  for  the  residence  of  this  bird.  Although 
there  are  times  when  it  appears  to  be  rather  common  here,  at 
other  times  we  have  been  unable  to  detect  a  single  specimen, 
even  in  places  where  it  was  previously  to  be  found,  and  where 


130  TRANSACTIONS    OF   THE  [1891 

no  marked  changes  had  taken  place  in  the  character  of  the 
country.  This  plain,  but  neat-looking  bird  selects  grassy  places 
and  the  borders  of  fields  near  roads,  and  there  it  may  often  be 
seen  perched  upon  a  fence,  pouring  forth  its  song  of  simple 
notes.  It  arrives  here  about  the  second  week  in  May,  and  gen- 
erally leaves  during  the  latter  part  of  September.  We  have 
observed  a  single  specimen  as  late  as  the  second  day  of  October. 
It  may  also  be  mentioned  that  this  bird  is  better  known  here  by 
the  name  of  "  Black-  throated  Bunting." 

Molotlirus  ater  (Bodd.).     Cow  bird. 

Early  in  April,  or  about  that  time,  the  "  Cowbird  "  makes  its 
appearance,  but  it  does  not  seem  to  be  abundant  near  Balti- 
more ;  and  especially  throughout  summer  it  is  only  occasionally 
to  be  seen.  During  the  fall,  however,  particularly  in  October 
and  part  of  November,  it  appears  quite  common  ;  frequenting 
the  same  localities  and  spots  as  the  swamp  blackbird.  It  may 
be  seen  flying  to  and  fro  over  the  marshes  in  the  same  manner 
as  that  species,  in  small  flocks,  and  often  associating  with  it  and 
the  "  Rusty-wing  Blackbird." 

On  one  occasion,  with  one  load  of  shot,  we  brought  down  a 
cowbird,  blackbird  and  a  rusty  blackbird. 

Its  curious  habit  of  laying  the  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other  birds, 
is  so  well-known  that  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  reiterate  it  here. 

It  leaves  this  region  about  the  middle  of  November,  and  the 
writer  has  never  observed  a  single  specimen  at  a  later  date.  Its 
note  is  peculiar,  forming  a  long-drawn  whistle,  rather  high 
pitched. 

Agelaius  phoeniceus  (Linn.).     Red-winged  Blackbird. 

It  would  seem  that  there  is  hardly  a  bird  better  known  by 
everybody,  and  particularly  by  our  gunners,  both  young  and 
old,  than  this  "  Blackbird,"  not  even  excepting  the  Robin  and 
Bluebird ;  nevertheless,  it  is  frequently  confounded  with  the 
"  Rusty-winged  Blackbird,"  and  even  with  the  "  Cowbird."  Al- 
though the  bird  is  seen  throughout  the  whole  year,  yet  a  vast 
difference  appears  in  their  numbers  according  to  the  season. 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  131 

As  early  as  February,  flocks  of  those  which  had  left  iu  the 
preceding  fall  make  their  appearance,  in  numbers  constantly 
increasing  as  the  season  advances,  especially  during  March  and 
April ;  but  as  May  approaches,  it  ceases  to  gather  in  flocks, 
because  the  time  for  nesting  has  arrived.  But  it  is  not  until  the 
later  part  of  August,  when  the  "  wild  oats "  Zizania  aquatiea 
begins  to  ripen,  that  its  numbers  are  again  seen  to  increase.  By 
September  and  October  its  flocks,  augmented  by  the  young  ones, 
become  actually  incalculable,  as  may  be  seen  by  anyone  who 
will  visit  at  that  time  the  "  Back  river,"  or  the  "Patapsco." 
In  November  its  numbers  gradually  decrease.  But  through- 
out the  winter  we  may  observe  small  flocks,  or  sometimes  a 
solitary  specimen,  in  secluded  or  sheltered  places.  Most  of 
those  that  we  have  obtained  and  observed  during  winter  were 
young  birds,  particularly  those  which  were  solitary. 

Its  usual  note  is  a  well-known  cluck,  delightful  only  to  the 
gunner ;  but  it  has,  besides,  a  few  pleasant  notes  which,  sound 
like  "  Cong-ter-ri,"  each  syllable  of  which  is  uttered  distinctly, 
but  rapidly.  In  spring,  particularly,  these  notes  may  be  heard, 
but  not  only  during  that  season,  since  in  the  cold  weather  of 
mid-winter  we  have  occasionally  recognized  them. 

Sturnella  magna  (Linn.).     Meadow  Lark. 

This  bird,  which  is  usually  called  "  Field  Lark,"  stays  in 
this  region  throughout  the  entire  year.  During  summer  it  is 
evenly  distributed  all  over  the  country,  frequenting  fields, 
meadows,  pastures  and  similar  places.  In  the  fall,  par- 
ticularly in  November,  and  even  the  greater  part  of  winter,  it 
collects  in  flocks  of  not  very  great  number.  Whether  flying  or 
on  the  ground,  the  individuals  keep  together,  but  not  closely. 
When  disturbed,  the  scattered  flocks  move  off"  quite  simultane- 
ously. During  the  latter  part  of  fall,  and  also  during  winter,  it  ap- 
pears much  more  common  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  city 
than  during  the  summer  months. 

It  almost  always  keeps  to  the  ground,  where  it  runs  about 
with  great  ease,  while  it  is  well  protected  by  the  color  of  its 
plumage,  especially  when  the  grass  and  weeds  are  bleached,  so 


132  TRANSACTIONS   OF  THE  [1891 

as  to  give  the  grayish  and  brownish  tints,  which  well  agree 
with  the  upper  surface  of  the  bird. 

A  nest  now  before  me,  obtained  the  latter  part  of  June,  is 
composed  mainly  of  grasses,  fine  rootlets  and  feathers  of  the 
turkey.  It  was  found,  as  is  always  the  case,  on  the  ground,  and 
was  partly  arched  over. 

The  eggs,  three  in  number,  are  much  smaller  than  the  ordin- 
ary average  size  for  such  birds,  and  their  color  is  whitish, 
speckled  with  purplish-brown,  more  thickly  ne.ir  the  larger  end, 
but  sparsely  near  the  middle  and  smaller  end. 

It  gives  forth  a  very  pleasant  song,  but  not  strong  when  we 
consider  the  size  of  the  bird. 

During  winter  it  is  comparatively  mute,  and  so  continues  un- 
til about  April,  when  its  well-known  notes  are  again  echoed 
through  the  air. 

Icterus  spurius  (Linn.).     Orchard  Oriole. 

The  "  Orchard  Oriole  "  arrives  here  early  in  May,  and  stays 
all  through  the  summer.  In  September  it  departs,  rather  early, 
long  before  the  majority  of  our  other  songsters  are  ready  to 
leave.  During  its  stay,  this  bird  is  particularly  fond  of  the 
orchards,  whence  its  name,  but  it  also  frequents  other  cultivated 
places.  The  writer  has  also  observed  it  along  the  roadside  in 
bushes,  shrubs  and  small  trees. 

It  is  not  uncommon  in  various  places,  but  is  hardly  entitled 
to  be  called  abundant  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  an  adequate  idea  of  its  notes,  by  either 
words  or  syllables. 

Icterus  galbula  (Linn.).     Baltimore  Oriole. 

This  beautiful  bird,  notwithstanding  its  name,  is  not  a  common 
summer  visitor ;  at  any  rate,  it  is  less  common  than  the  Orchard 
Oriole.  It  is  evidently  partial  to  certain  districts,  while  it  shuns 
others,  and  therefore  is  not  equally  distributed  over  the  country. 
We  may  remark  incidentally  that  the  original  Latin  name  be- 
stowed upon  it  by  Linnaeus  did  not  refer  to  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
but  to  the  heraldric  colors  of  Lord  Baltimore. 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OP  SCIENCES.  133 

The  Oriole  arrives  here  early  in  May,  and  is  then  for  a  few 
weeks  rather  common,  much  more  so  than  during  summer.  It 
frequents  shady  trees,  often  near  the  farm  house,  showing  a  fond- 
ness for  the  neighborhood  of  man,  and  during  migration  especially 
is  not  unfrequently  seen  even  in  the  larger  parks  and  cemeteries  of 
the  city.  It  leaves  this  neighborhood  rather  early  in  September. 

The  nest  is  pensile,  more  or  less  a  pouch-like  structure,  com- 
posed of  all  possible  kinds  of  soft  material,  almost  artificially 
woven  together.  The  eggs  are  of  a  whitish  ground  color,  marked 
with  dark  so-called  pen  lines. 

The  song  is  a  rather  soft  whistle,  quite  pleasant  to  hear ;  often 
uttered  as  the  bird  hops  to  and  fro  among  the  branches  of  the  tree. 

f:     *     f:     |    f:     +     ± 


Quiscalus  quiscula  (Linn.).     Purple  Grackle. 

The  "  Crow  Blackbird,"  as  it  is  commonly  called,  arrives  here 
about  the  third  week  in  March.  It  is  a  very  common  bird  during 
summer,  particularly  in  and  near  cultivated  places,  and  frequent- 
ing parks  and  open  places  in  the  city.  For  several  consecutive 
years  we  have  observed  this  bird  to  be  a  regular  visitor  of  the 
Greenmount  Cemetery,  from  the  latter  part  of  March  nearly 
through  August,  when  it  disappears.  Early  in  April  it  is  seen 
building  rather  bulky  nests  on  the  large  trees  which  adorn  that 
cemetery.  From  there  it  makes  excursions  into  the  surrounding 
fields,  pastures  and  waste  places,  strutting  about  in  a  manner 
betraying  its  resemblance  to  the  crow. 

The  usual  call  notes  are  almost  the  same  as  those  of  the  com- 
mon blackbird. 

Towards  the  close  of  fall  it  departs  for  the  south. 

Corvus  americanus  (Aud.).     American  Crow. 

Our  "  Crow  "  is  such  a  common  and  well  known  bird  that  it 
is  well  nigh  useless  to  offer  any  remarks  concerning  it.  It  is 
seen  to  be  a  resident,  plentiful  in  summer  as  well  as  in  winter, 


134  TRANSACTIONS  OF  THE  [1891 

frequenting  localities  of  all  descriptions,  now  running  over  some 
cultivated  field,  then  gathering  upon  some  swampy,  muddy  shore, 
or  along  the  road. 

The  crow  builds  rather  early.  The  nest  is  a  somewhat  course 
and  rough  looking  structure,  situated  usually  at  a  considerable 
distance  from  the  ground,  on  a  tree,  very  often  of  the  pine  species. 
A  nest  with  three  nestlings  almost  ready  to  fly  was  obtained  by 
the  writer  early  in  May. 

A  well  known  fact  is  their  gathering  in  immense  numbers  at 
certain  roosting  places,  in  tracts  of  woods,  from  whence  they  start 
regularly  in  the  morning,  and  return  in  the  evening,  always 
flying  in  a  particular  direction. 

Oyanocitta  cristata  (Linn.).     Blue  Jay. 

This  fine  and  stately-looking  bird  is  likewise  a  resident,  but 
its  numbers  vary  somewhat  according  to  the  season.  Both  in 
the  spring  and  in  the  fall  it  is  exceedingly  common  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  city,  particularly  during  October  and  the 
greater  part  of  November,  when  it  gathers  in  small  flocks,  flies 
from  tree  to  tree,  and  is  readily  recognized  by  the  screeching 
notes.  But  during  summer,  and  still  more  during  winter,  it 
retires  to  the  depths  of  the  woods  and  to  the  interior  of  the 
country,  so  that  hardly  any  are  to  be  seen  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  city.  In  the  month  of  July,  while  traversing  the  woods 
along  the  middle  Patuxent  river,  the  writer  never  before  saw  so 
many  gathered  together,  hovering  between  the  gigantic  trees 
which  border  both  sides  of  that  river. 

The  usual  notes  of  this  bird  are  of  a  rather  crying  and  scream- 
ing character,  and  far  from  pleasant. 


When  assembled  together  their  screaming  sometimes  becomes 
rather  annoying.  ?  But  besides  this  unpleasant  screaming,  the 
Jay  possesses  a  few  notes  so  plaintive,  and  so  at  variance  with  the 
vivacity  and  boldness  of  the  bird,  that  we  could  hardly  believe  the 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  135 

fact  when  these  notes  were  heard  for  the  first  time.  The  sounds 
consist  mainly  of  two  notes,  a  small  third  apart,  uttered  slowly. 
•  The  Jay  possesses,  likewise,  courage  and  boldness,  in  which 
qualities  it  is  hardly  exceeded  by  any  of  our  other  birds.  The 
writer  has  observed  on  one  occasion  a  Jay  to  attack  a  bird  which 
appeared  to  be  a  Red-shouldered  Hawk,  and  which  it  succeeded, 
by  persistent  onsets,  in  driving  away. 

Tymnnus  tyrannus  (Linn.).     Kingbird. 

This  bird  makes  its  appearance  about  the  twentieth  of  April. 
It  is  one  of  our  most  abundant  birds  during  the  whole  summer, 
but  leaves  us  again  rather  early  in  September.  The  bird  may 
be  found  everywhere  except  in  heavy  woods  j  it  particularly 
loves  pastures  and  fields  covered  here  and  there  with  some  tall 
weeds  and  plants,  upon  which  to  rest.  It  is  also  found  near  the 
farm  house,  along  the  roadside,  often  sitting  on  telegraph  wires 
in  company  with  others  of  its  own  kind.  The  bird  is  very  bold 
and  aggressive,  attacking  other  birds  much  larger  than  itself, 
thus  giving  force  to  both  its  common  and  Latin  names,  as  also 
to  its  former  specific  name,  "intrepidity." 

From  its  habit  of  catching  bees,  it  is  called  "  Bee  Martin," 
which,  in  fact,  is  the  only  name  given  to  it  by  our  farmers.  From 
this  propensity  to  catch  bees,  this  bird  is  very  much  disliked  by 
country  people. 

The  nest  is  rather  bulky,  not  very  neat,  made  of  rootlets,  as 
also  of  parts  of  grape  vine  bark,  and  it  is  lined  with  grass.  The 
eggs  are  whitish,  with  spots  of  chestnut  and  lilac  gray. 

The  bird  has  no  particular  utterance  or  notes,  save  a  sort  of 
twitter. 

Myiarchus  erinitus  (Linn.).     Crested  Flycatcher. 

Late  in  April  this  bird,  the  largest  of  our  flycatchers,  makes 
its  appearance,  and  it  departs  again  about  the  20th  of  September. 
It  frequents  mostly  shady  woods,  and  is  hardly  ever  seen  near 
houses  and  on  the  farms.  Its  note  is  nothing  but  a  squeak,  very 
different  from  the  utterances  of  our  other  flycatchers,  being  low, 
and  frequently  heard  when  the  bird  is  perched  at  the  top  ot 


136  TRANSACTIONS   OF   THE  [1891 

some  tall  tree.  In  September  it  apparently  becomes  mute.  It 
is  not  uncommon,  and  it  is  generally  distributed  all  over  the 
country  in  suitable  localities.  Unlike  the  "  Kingbird  "  and  our 
two  Pewees,  it  is  hardly  known  to  our  farmers,  notwithstanding 
its  conspicuous  size.  It  is  always  solitary,  and  does  not  appear 
to  seek  the  company  even  of  its  own  kind. 

Sayiornis  phoehe  (Lath.).     Phoebe. 
"  Pewee." 

Setting  aside  the  Bluebird  and  the  Robin,  both  being  seen 
occasionally,  if  not  regularly  during  winter,  the  "  Pewee  "  must 
be  considered  as  the  pioneer  of  all  the  birds  in  spring ;  it  is  truly 
a  harbinger  of  spring.  Early  in  March  it  arrives  in  this  lati- 
tude, and  is  during  that  month  and  part  of  the  following  one 
very  abundant,  until  the  arrival  of  the  "  Wood  Pewee,"  when  it 
becomes  outnumbered  by  that  species.  At  this  time  also  a  large 
number  evidently  go  farther  north.  All  through  the  summer, 
even  though  common,  it  is  not  as  abundant  as  the  Wood  Pewee. 
In  the  fall,  particularly  in  October,  it  again  becomes  extremely 
abundant.  It  remains  nearly  through  October,  and  we  have 
observed  it  besides  early  in  November.  It  is  particularly  fond 
of  the  neighborhood  of  water,  and  the  writer  has  often  observed 
it  flying  above  the  water,  almost  skimming  it;  somewhat  after 
the  manner  of  swallows,  particularly  in  the  spring. 

Its  notes  are  indicated  by  its  vernacular  name,  and  they  are 
mostly  heard  in  spring,  uttered  when  sitting  on  some  limb  or 
branch  of  a  tree,  but  sometimes  while  perched  on  a  fence- rail. 
The  notes  sound  like  the  syllables,  "  Pa-way." 

Contopus  virens  (Linn.).     Wood  Pewee. 

The  Wood  Pewee  arrives  in  this  neighborhood  about  the  25th 
of  April,  stays  here  through  September,  and  leaves  again  in 
October.  It  is  an  exceedingly  common  bird  all  through  the 
summer,  much  more  so  than  the  true  Pewee.  It  frequents  wood- 
lands, also  orchards  and  other  similar  localities,  particularly 
during  the  breeding  season,  where  it  usually  occupies  the 
branches  having  none  or  hardly  any  foliage ;  seemingly  as  if 


1891]  MARYLAND  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.  137 

the  bird  intended  to  have  a  full  view  of  all  that  is  going  on. 
There  we  hear  its  plaintive  notes,  rather  different  from  those  of 
the  Pewee  proper,  throughout  most  of  the  summer,  and  occa- 
sionally even  in  September.  The  notes  are  "  Pee-a-wee." 

It  breeds  as  well  in  the  depths  of  the  woods  as  in  the 
orchards.  The  nest  is  an  exceedingly  beautiful  structure,  round, 
almost  circular,  made  mostly  of  soft  material  of  various  kinds. 
The  outside,  which  indeed  gives  the  nest  its  beautiful  appear- 
ance, is  covered  with  bluish-gray  lichens.  The  nest  is  always,  as 
far  as  we  have  had  occasion  to  observe,  saddled  on  the  branch 
of  the  tree,  which  consequently  gives  its  lower  part  a  very 
decided  indent.  It  is  sometimes  attached  in  the  orchard  to  an 
apple  tree,  probably  eight  or  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  One  was 
obtained  by  the  writer  from  a  tree  where  it  was  situated  at  a 
height  of  at  least  twenty-five  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs 
are  four  or  five  in  number,  with  dark  brownish  spots,  some  of 
which  are  placed  like  a  ring  around  the  larger  end.  We  have 
found  a  nest  late  in  July  with  eggs  upon  which  the  birds  had 
not  yet  begun  to  incubate. 

Empidonax  acadicus  (Gmel.).     Acadian  Flycatcher. 
Small  Green-crested  Flycatcher. 

This  flycatcher,  by  its  greenish  color,  is  easily  distinguished 
from  the  rest  of  the  "  Tyrannidae  "  inhabiting  our  woods  during 
summer.  It  arrives  from  the  South  about  the  first  week  in  May. 
It  is  moderately  common  all  through  the  summer,  frequenting 
only  shady  woods,  and  preferring  usually  the  lower  parts  of  the 
trees,  and  not  seeking  disguise  in  the  foliage,  as  if  conscious  of 
the  protection  afforded  by  its  color.  It  seems  to  be  of  a  rather 
solitary  nature.  Toward  the  close  of  September  it  departs  to 
seek  a  more  congenial  climate  for  its  winter  home. 

This  bird  is  entirely  destitute  of  song  or  anything  which 
might  be  so  designated.  Only  a  squeaky  note, -rather  loud  for 
the  size  of  the  bird,  is  heard  occasionally,  which  betrays  the 
bird,  as  we  pass  through  the  woods.  When  driven  away  by  a 
stranger  it  does  not  fly  very  far,  but  soon  alights  on  some  bough 
of  a  tree  near  at  hand. 

[MAY  18,  1891.] 


LIST  OF  GENERA  AND  SPECIES. 


1.  Turdas  mustelinua. 

2.  Turdus  unalascae  Palasii. 

3.  Merula  migratoria. 

4.  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis. 

5.  Harporhynchus  rufus. 
6/Sialiasialis. 

7.  Parus  bicolor. 

8.  Parus  carolinensis. 

9.  Sitta  carolinensis. 

10.  Thryothorus  ludovicianus. 

11.  Troglodytes  aedon. 

12.  Cistothorus  palustris. 

13.  Mniotilta  varia. 

14.  Helmintherus  vermivorus. 

15.  Dendroica  aestiva. 

16.  Dendroica  discolor. 

17.  Dendroica  vigorsii. 

18.  Seiurus  aurocapillus. 

19.  Seiurus  motacilla. 

20.  Geothlypis  trichas. 

21.  Icteria  viridis. 

22.  Sylvania  canadensis. 

23.  Setophaga  ruticilla. 

24.  Vireo  olivaceus. 

25.  Vireo  noveboracensis. 

26.  Vireo  flavifrons. 

27.  Ampelis  cedrorum. 

28.  Chelidon  erythrogaster. 

29.  Tachycinetta  bicolor. 

30.  Progne  subis. 


31.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons. 

32.  Clivicola  riparia. 

33.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis. 

34.  Piranga  erythromelas. 

35.  Piranga  rubra. 

36.  Spiniis  tristis. 

37.  Poocetes  gramineus. 

38.  Amodromus  savannarum  passeri- 

nus. 

39.  Amodromus  maritimus. 

40.  Melospiza  fasciata. 

41.  Spizella  pusilla. 

42.  Spizella  socialis. 

43.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus. 

44.  Cardinalis  cardinalis. 

45.  Passerina  cyanea. 

46.  Spiza  americana. 

47.  Molothrus  ater. 

48.  Agelaius  phoeniceus. 

49.  Sturnella  magna. 

50.  Icterus  spurius. 

51.  Icterus  galbula. 

52  Quiscalus  quiscula. 

53.  Corvus  americanus. 

54.  Cyanocitta  cristata. 

55.  Tyrannus  tyrannus. 

56.  Myiarchus  crinetus. 

57.  Sayiornis  phoebe. 

58.  Contopus  vivers. 

59.  Empidonax  acadicus. 


QL          Hesler  - 

68U         List  of  birds 

summer  near 
-the  city  oJ 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


000872410     6 


QL 

68k 

M2&3 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


FormL9 — 15m-10,'48(B1039)444 


20.  Geotblypis  trichas. 

21.  Icteria  viridis. 

22.  Sylvania  canadensis. 

23.  Setophaga  ruticilla. 

24.  Vireo  olivaceus. 

25.  Vireo  noveboracensis. 

26.  Vireo  flarifrons. 

27.  Ampelis  cedrorum. 

28.  Chelidon  erythrogaster. 

29.  Tachycinetta  bicolor. 

30.  Progne  subis. 


eri- 


49.  Sturnella  magna. 

50.  Icterus  spurius. 

51.  Icterus  galbula. 

52   Quiscalus  quiscula. 

53.  Corvus  americanus. 

54.  Cyanocitta  cristata. 

55.  Tyrannus  tyrannus. 

56.  Myiarchus  crinetus. 

57.  Sayiornis  phoebe. 

58.  Contopus  vivers. 

59.  Empidonax  acadicus. 


QL 
681; 


Kesler  - 
List  of  birds 
roaidont  in — 


summer  near 


QL 

6Sk 

M25R3 


REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FA 


000872410     6 


